Matthew Heckard
Matt specializes in administration of public sector emergency preparedness
Specialties & Interests
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Planning, training, and exercise design, development, and implementation across all emergency management functions and mission areas. Managing and operating an emergency operations center and joint information center during emergency events.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION
Building partnerships with infrastructure owners and operators of electricity, water, and fuel utilities and integrating consequence management and resource support capabilities within government with industry to manage risk and impact.
TECHNOLOGY
Design and implementation of strategies and management frameworks for programmatic data integration and geospatial capabilities into situational awareness, strategic thinking, grant management, and continuous improvement efforts within emergency management.
ABOUT
My passion is supporting public sector agencies in their efforts to build capability against current and future impacts from disasters and emergency events. I have served over ten years in state-level emergency management agencies across two states. Early in my career, I learned from developing and implementing Arizona’s first Disaster Recovery framework. My focus expanded into radiological and nuclear planning, preparedness for energy-related emergencies, and leading a series of exercises on cybersecurity for senior state officials and private sector partners.
I’ve been fortunate to participate in CHDS REP and Master’s Degree programs, utilizing that knowledge to support the implementation of more efficiency in state-level radiological emergency preparedness programs for nuclear power plants. The resulting evolutions in program structure and focus realized significant cost savings and more consistent execution of required capabilities in Arizona, providing a successful path for regulatory compliance and integration of state emergency management under evolving federal guidance.
I have put together hundreds of plans, procedures, program strategies, training modules, and exercises covering every mission and functional area of emergency management. I use this experience to help lead programs and provide focus, direction, and support for public sector agencies to protect public health and safety in their communities, help each other in the current volatile environment, and anticipate the future here in Tennessee.
CHDS AFFILIATION
- REP Alum
- Masters in Security Studies, CHDS, Naval Postgraduate School
- Nominee, Outstanding Thesis Award, CHDS
“[Matthew is] an extremely resourceful emergency management professional. I’ve come to recognize and trust his expertise, overall knowledge, and vision for emergency management.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Viewpoints: A Case For State And Local Integration Of The Separate Federal REPP
An overview and policy options analysis of off-site radiological emergency preparedness and response protocols for commercial nuclear power plants.